When Diplomacy Fails…

CHAPTER 8

Alex stepped into the OPS building. He had legality on his side, but that rarely mattered to military officers, especially Infantry officers or Staff officers, and this would involve both.

A master sergeant stood waiting, and said, “In there, sir,” while pointing. He was polite enough, and didn’t sound any more bothered than any NCO whose bosses were pissed, so this was probably just a staff matter. That helped, a little.

He knocked on the door twice, firmly, waited three seconds, and walked in.

Captain Das was seated there, and seemed neutral enough. With him were Colonel Stack, the Facility Commander, and Colonel Andronov, the Operations Officer. They both bore professionally blank expressions, the kind that presaged formal actions. Stack was barrel chested and clearly a bred soldier. Andronov lean and bald.

Stack said, “Agent Marlow, you had a rather interesting day. In fact, it became interesting for a lot of people.”

That was a fair enough opening. He had not been asked to sit, though.

“It did, sir. The tactical situation differs from our original terms, and our client is making additional trips we had not counted on.”

Andronov said, “I am not interested in justifications. I am interested in unauthorized weapons fire right outside the perimeter, and firefights with locals who are not armed.”

Alex took a measured breath and said, “As to the latter, sir, they made every attempt to appear armed, and that they were using deadly force. What appeared to be explosives required an armed response. Had it been a rushing crowd or such, we would have blocked physically and removed Ms. Highland, and we did that as well. My agent’s response was appropriate at that moment, even if it seems otherwise in hindsight. I do not yet know BuState’s position, but it is my company’s position that he was fully in accordance with contract. That means everyone’s legal teams will have to decide the ramifications, and it becomes a matter for our employer, which is BuState. The military will not legally be involved.”

Andronov spoke sharply. “I don’t give a damn for legalities. I care that the locals now perceive violence on the behalf of the UN. My soldiers will have to deal with that. Or is that not of concern to you?”

Alex could feel the prickliness. “Sir, anything that interacts with hosts, allies or opposition is of concern to me. I will say again that the circumstances were rushed, threatening in presentation, and that our original contract has been stretched. However, abiding by the strict letter of that agreement will create”-”enemies would be a bad word, he thought, “-problems with BuState. I couldn’t address it then. I’ll do so as soon as feasible.”

Andronov seemed about to reply so he added quickly, “As to the former, it is standard practice to test weapons before a mission or movement. It also used to be a standard practice in the military. I will not put my client at risk over a difference in policies. To that end, I informed your operations team that we would conduct that test, and that we would do so immediately upon leaving the wire.”

“Is that true, Das?”

“I’m told it is, sir. They made the call, and informed Lieutenant Ghar.”

“Ghar did not propagate this information to you?”

“Neither to Security Operations nor to Intel, no, sir.”

Andronov looked at Stack. Stack didn’t say anything.

Turning back to Alex, Andronov said, “There will be some discussions, then. I will accept, under protest, that your rules are different. I will discuss this with our people, and with BuState. I make the official request of a favor that you provide me with as much information as you can.”

“I’ll do so through Captain Das. And of course, anything we observe that might be of intelligence interest will be shared, including relevant footage.” After Elke scrubs what they don’t need to see.

Andronov didn’t seem at all mollified, but it did appear he grasped the problems of a completely distinct chain of command he had no control over whatsoever.

“Very well. You may go.”

Alex wasn’t about to be dismissed like an errand boy. There was an issue of status, and that had to be covered at once.

“There is one matter you raise, sir.”

Andronov leaned on the desk and said, “Yes?”

“While information on certain of our movements are necessary for cooperation, and I will do my best to improve that, we are an adjunct of BuState, operating at the highest level-the Minister is our personal responsibility. I must request that you not attempt to track anything without clearing it through me. State will not be happy with certain information, some of it personal, being furnished even to BuMil, and if it spreads sufficiently, of course, there is an OPSEC risk.”

“Agent Marlow, as you have explained to some of my people, and to myself, I will explain to you. I will conduct my operations my way. If I need to discuss them with BuState, I have my own superiors and my own lawyers. It would be in both our interests to avoid that.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll do what I can. I’ll start on it now.”

He took the previous leave for granted, turned and left.

When he put his glasses back on, he had a message waiting. He scanned it.

Highland wants to see you ASAfP. J.

That was choice. He made use of the latrine in this building, washed his hands, opened his armor, and walked the half kilometer to the Dip compound.

Cady’s people were on the gate, and recognized him.

“Chief Marlow, good to see you,” the sentry said. “Check here, please.”

He stepped over for a bio scan, waited for acknowledgement, and walked through the turnstile.

Their building was comfortable, if warm, and he felt a bit of burden release with his own people around him. Though they were a bit tense. He needed to deal with Highland first, then debrief them. He walked past with a nod, through the hallway door and down the corridor that served as one of several breaks against eavesdropping.

He knew this wasn’t going to be pleasant. He braced himself inside while keeping a neutrally agreeable facade outside.

“You called, ma’am,” he said as he stepped into the room. Highland was alone.

“I perfectly understand why people hate your outfit,” she said.

That wasn’t necessarily a preface to attack, he thought. Comprehension did not necessarily…

“What in the fucking hell are you… thugs… playing at?” She panted and flushed and looked incensed already, from merely irritated moments before.

He’d heard of her famous temper, and he wasn’t going to interfere. Best to let her run out.

She stood, fists on desk. “You shot unarmed protesters, which makes me look bad. You pissed off the military, on purpose I gather. You unleashed weapons of mass destruction you knew were intended for deterrent appearance only.”

He reflected that she really didn’t know what “weapons of mass destruction” meant, and he’d be careful not to let Elke know, because she’d be too happy to demonstrate.

“Ma’am, our mission is to protect you. We have specific approaches and technique, and these were detailed in our contract addenda.”

“Fuck that trash!” She turned and straight-arm heaved her glass at the wall. It shattered in a cascading rain of wine and crystal. “We all know that’s just ass-covering. I’m not some rich-bitch schoolgirl or a third world babysitter. I am the Minister of State, and the next Secretary General! Your job is to look imposing, stay out of the way, and cover me in the rare case it happens to be necessary. You will not engage in any hostile action without specific permission from me. Is that clear?”

He wasn’t going to argue the point. That’s what lawyers were for.

“I understand, ma’am, and will so inform my people you said so personally.” If she weren’t so incensed, she’d realize he had not agreed to the demand, only acknowledged the statement.

“You had better,” she said with a finger point. “In one day, one day, you’ve splashed me across every feed, page, stream and vue in the universe, as some kind of right-wing, uncompassionate kitten stomper.”

If the shoe fits, he thought.

She seemed to have run down, and just glared at him.

“I’ll work on improving things right now, ma’am,” he said, and backed out under her stare.

That could have been better. It also could have been worse. He cooled off as he walked down the hall, and took the stairs rather than an elevator.

Back in their common room, he asked, “Where’s Elke?”

From the couch, Jason said, “She said something about making friends with the engineer unit.”

He started to ask, “Does that mean-” and Jason cut him off with, “Yes.”

He sighed.

“Okay, I’ll need to talk to her about that. In the meantime, everyone understand that we must hold the real weapons in reserve. We’ll get fried if someone else gets it.”

Bart said, “We will get fried if her hair gets parted, too.”

“Yes. All I can say is, Meyer thinks this is worth doing, and has something planned. We’re not doing this for us, or Highland, this is for the Company.”

Elke walked through the door at that moment, and said, “They pay us well. I am not sure they pay us well enough.”

“Did you catch the rest?”

“Yes, Jason had a channel open to me. I will comply, as always, under protest, as always.”

“Please. I don’t know what the endplan is, but we have to make it work. I get the impression it’s a test of loyalty and discipline. That means more government contracts.”

Aramis flared his eyebrows. He said nothing. Jason glanced at him, looked at Alex, and spoke.

“On the one hand, government money is as good as anyone’s. On the other hand, they abused us the first time, did nothing to help in the interim, and clearly want us as a splatter guard this time. Miss Caron was aggravating to deal with, but she had good cause, and her money is freely given, with better behavior. The whole point of being a mercenary is not being tied to one master, especially a government.”

“Then feel free to go independent,” he snapped. Alex understood Jason’s position. He also understood his own frustration. “This is us, and the Company, versus them. Choose your side.”

“Oh, I’m here,” Jason assured him. “I will back you all the way. I don’t know that I have enough bleach wipes to get the politician shit off, though.”

“Yeah. We’re in this together, remember.”

Elke said, “I will do what it takes for my team. The rest is just money.”

“That’s all we’re asking.”

Shaman asked, “Is there any clarification on JessieM?”

Alex sighed. “Yes, we cover her, too. A bill will be presented later. Then the lawyers will argue it. I gather Meyer is trying for leverage back against BuState. We’re all looking for position.”

“What is her status?”

“She’s ‘also protected.’ Highland is primary. JessieM is secondary. She should be covered when possible, brought along when possible, reported and documented if needed. She is not disposable but she is expendable if Highland is in danger. In other words, she cannot be collateralized, but she can be triaged.” He sighed. “Now I have to report my discussion with Highland and get an official guidance on that. In the meantime, we’re carrying nonlethal weapons, but do not use them except against close, direct threats. We will respond to indirect weapons with evacuation and cover. Use distraction and pain first, disablement second. Only if there’s a mob like we had on Salin do we use lethal force, when it’s obvious we had no choice.”

Aramis was the first to respond. “Understood.” He seemed relieved to have clear guidance.

“Roger,” Jason agreed. The rest nodded and confirmed the order.

Jason continued, “I’m going to check over the nonlethal stuff, and prep additional gear. Aramis, can you assist?”

“Yes.”

Alex nodded, waved and went to compose a draft. He wondered if drinking heavily would help, though he couldn’t do so.

Just then his phone beeped.

“Marlow.”

“Alex, Captain Das.”

“What can I do for you, Captain?”

“I must relay some bad news.”

Alex sighed. “Go ahead.”

“Ms. Highland requested military escort for her transport. That request has been categorically denied.”

“I see. She won’t like that at all. I can’t say I’m thrilled with it myself.”

“I understand. Can you guarantee Ms. Highland will not mention her campaign in her appearances?”

“What? No, she generally mentions it every time.”

“Yes, which makes her ‘candidate’ Highland. ‘Minister’ Highland is an official representative of the government, and can have as much escort as we can spare. ‘Candidate’ Highland must provide her own support. She’s certainly in violation of BuState regulations, too, but that’s not an issue we have jurisdiction over. We cannot, however, allow a candidate to make use of our taxpayer resources.”

“I completely understand. That’s most unfortunate.”

“We’ll be letting her know, of course. I wanted to make sure you could plan accordingly.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

It was Bart who brought up the next issue. “News,” he said. “Churp from JessieM.”

He let it scroll on his glasses, then scrolled it again.

Then he sighed. He talked to his phone.

“Cady, are you free? Priority Three.”

“Sure, I’ll be right there.”

Turning to the others he said, “I’ll use the armory for this discussion.”

Jason said, “Go ahead, boss, I’ll clean later.”

Cady arrived at once, looking unbothered but concerned. She knew most of what had happened. He motioned her back into the room.

As soon as she closed the door he said, “I need to give you a status update. This is official, but personal.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, JessieM put the word out that you’re trans. It’s no one’s business, but that’s the business she’s in. And Highland likes having ‘diversity’ to point to politically.”

Cady looked confused rather than offended. “Are you saying I’m here because I’m trans?”

“No, you’re here because you do damned good facilities. The principal wants you here because you’re trans.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “I see. Well, I don’t like that, but I don’t have much choice unless I want to leave, which defeats my moral purposes and affects the mission.”

Alex said, “Yeah. Sorry you’re getting caught up in it.”

She looked a bit wistful as she said, “It’s something we get from time to time even in modern societies. I expected trouble from the locals here if word got out. I had hoped our principal would be diplomatically savvy.”

“She is, and she sees a benefit back home, among her potential voters.”

Cady sighed. “Yes, the opposite of what works here. I could offer a comment on that.”

Alex said, “It’s been made.”

She nodded. “Well, I’ll do the best I can.”

“The locals know now, of course.”

“I understand.” She looked sad. This couldn’t be a new event, and had to be tiresome and irritating. “It doesn’t affect what I do, unless you’d like me to leave to preserve order.”

Yes, this had to be a tender subject for her.

“That’s very professional of you. No. Even if it would help, I’d say no. You’re not an interchangeable unit. You’re our best facilities expert. They’ll just have to deal with it.”

“So will I.”

“Yeah, that’s the part I don’t like.”

She shrugged. “As I said, it’s an old story. I’ll manage. Thanks for the update.”

“I think we both favor a free media,” he said. “I know there’s no real privacy. But some things shouldn’t be dug out and promoted. No one should care about our names, backgrounds, locations.”

“Except the enemy. We’re not allowed to say that, though.”

“There is no enemy. They’re just misunderstood. Anyway, that’s the brief, I’m back on duty.” He started for the door.

Cady said, “I have a standard statement I can give her if she asks. You know why I transitioned, yes?”

He halted. “I never asked. It’s not my business.”

“Well, we need to work together and it’s come up, so it’s your business now. Genetic irregularity. XXY chromosomes, and at puberty I seemed to lean more toward female both mentally and physiologically. So they finished with modern science what nature got half-assed.”

“Got it.”

Truth be told, he found it uncomfortable, even if it was a fairly straightforward process anymore. She did good work, though, and there was no reason for personal details to be public.

In her quarters and well away from any military or contractors, Highland let out a tight sigh and asked Jessie, “Okay, give me the bad news on the numbers.”

“Actually, it’s not bad.”

“Really?”

“It’s polling well. Large numbers of rural and wealthy urban demographics support it being a legitimate return of fire.”

Again, she said, “Really?”

“You lost eight percent of the lower income brackets, but gained twenty-three percent in the ones I mentioned, for a net gain, population adjusted, of three percent. That puts you back at thirty-one percent, and a credible threat to Cruk.”

“I haven’t heard anything good about Ripple Creek.”

“Oh, they’re widely hated. The bounce seems to be a perception of your strength.”

“Well, then I supposed I need to spin it that way. I’m strong, not afraid, and these manipulated attacks aren’t a credible threat. I can denounce the excessive violence.”

“That’s not very fair to our guards.”

“This isn’t fair. It’s a campaign.”

Elke paused the replay and looked around. This was a type of issue she didn’t understand.

Jason was angry. His reply was moderate. That was scary.

“Well, we expected to get bent over. It’s part of the job, and why we get paid so much. But she actually wants to use us not only as muscle, but to then decry our techniques, while sobbing about her compassion. That’s an election strategy?”

Aramis of all people looked very calm.

“Sadly, I think it will work. She can play good cop/bad cop, blame the SecGen for our presence, play the victim and compassion cards, promise vague, undefined ‘difference. ’ ”

Elke asked, “How will the blame affect us?”

Alex said, “That is a good question. It can play out as more of the same, nobody cares. It could turn into nuisance suits that hurt the company. It could get very ugly with some kind of General Assembly investigation that has us being deposed, and charged with perjury for saying we had eggs for breakfast when the camera clearly shows turkey ham.”

“I could persuade her to be nice,” Bart said.

Alex looked around. “Are we positive we’re not being scanned? Aerospace Force was able to hack us quite well the first time.”

Elke said, “I am sure. I’m also not as worried about them as her.”

Jason nodded in agreement. “Yeah, though she may have friends, and they may decide the info is worth money.”

Aramis sat back and stared at the wall. “I guess we need to make sure Captain Das is on our side.”

“He seems like a good man,” Elke said.

Alex said, “I’ll draw some materials. Jason can you work out a polite trade, so he’s slightly beholden?”

“I can. No specific requests, just ‘we heard you needed this’?”

“Exactly. We have the Golden Cargotainer. We’re good people.”

Elke said, “I guess I’m unhappy protecting someone who will use us so hypocritically. It’s not that we’re enemies, nor that we’re conspirators. She means to play us as fools.”

Aramis said, “You’re unhappy because she thinks we’re that stupid.”

“Yes, that’s it.”

Jason said, “It’s common. You have to be something of a sociopath to get high in politics. You’ve seen it; she really has little compassion for anyone. It’s not that she’s mean. She’s just not capable of empathizing with anyone. That makes narcissism that much easier. It’s all about her, and she isn’t even cognizant of us.”

Shaman said, “It’s not entirely like that, from a medical perspective, but I will forgive your irregularities for the rough summary.”

“Yeah, I’m sure my terms are wrong. I’ll clarify: she’s a smug, self-centered bitch.”

“Spot on,” Shaman agreed.

Elke was learning from this, but it still wasn’t clear. “How do such people make way? Get ahead?”

Aramis smirked, but it wasn’t unkind. “They have lots of people along for the ride and the money and power, and others willing to back them for payoffs later.”

“It seems a precarious way to get ahead.”

“It is,” Jason said. “It always collapses eventually. Which is why we get paid to protect them meantime. Remember how they tried to set up Bishwanath?”

Alex said, “They’re being smarter this time. No deaths, just harassment. We can’t really respond, but we have to treat every threat seriously.”

“But they’re improving her visibility and popularity.”

Alex continued, “Could it be staged? Not by her, but by the party?”

“Possibly.”

Very serious now, he said, “We have to assume there’s some agency behind the non-lethal attacks. She admits to one. So, she set up the first one, but these could be either staged higher up, by some anonymous benefactor, or they could be legitimate protest by fucking idiots, or just harassment by someone wanting to embarrass her without risking actual jail.”

“Or trying to entice us into killing someone so they can hold it against her, or us. Or trying to entice us into killing someone so they have an excuse to start another revolution.”

Bart said, “It could be any of those. She fits profiles for celebrity, politician and important official.”

Aramis asked, “Should we not return fire?”

Elke said, “I would return fire. In case they are trying to lull us so they can attack.” She looked around at the others.

Alex said, “Yes. Our job is to protect her from threats. We do that, against every potential threat. Don’t use more force than you have to, so avoid the autocannon. But by all means return fire. If she wants to spin it for her bravery and risk-taking, we’ll allow it. That’s even semi-legit as long as she’s not orchestrating it herself. However, we need to find out what the strategy is. Alex, research the history of this place for similar events. Elke, you get everything you can from her quarters. Spy on her however you have to. It’s for her own safety, and ours. I’ll get everything I can from Captain Das.”

Bart said, “He is not in BuState.”

“He’s not, but he probably has some good leads anyway.”

“I will get on it,” Elke said, though she wasn’t comfortable.

She did not deal well with most people, and had trouble with some cues. She knew that. This required determining how someone else would think, and that was uncomfortable. She also had no idea how it was done. It had taken two years to understand how most of the team thought. She’d been the last person to fit in, and still was very much outside them. If it weren’t for Jason, she might not have made it this far.

However, it seemed it was something she needed to learn. In the meantime, she had sensors and bugs to place.

Now there was the matter of several explosive devices she needed to inventory, adapt, or strip for material. She’d need more caps at once, more explosive shortly, but she had a few kilograms to get her started. It was obvious to her that Highland was using them as every kind of shield, decoy and prison bitch possible. Otherwise Elke wouldn’t be stealing what she needed.

At least the guns had ammunition. It likely hadn’t occurred to the kurve that they’d actually shoot at threats without her say so. Truly, the woman had far too much regard for the capabilities of government.

At some point during this mission, that would become apparent. Elke looked forward to that facial expression. It was quite perverse on her part, but she was comfortable with it.

Aramis stretched as they broke up and fell to. There were weapons to clean, routes to plan, exercise to take, food, rest, itineraries. He had more maps to plot, gear dumps to arrange, and Jason might need help with weapons.

They moved around and funneled out the door back into the common room. He twitched as Elke brushed past. Had that been a grope?

She turned slightly on her way to her own room, and her face wore a smirk.

That was disturbing.

Aramis was still trembling from the earlier incident. He had no idea how close he’d come to brain wiping, but that had to have been skirting it. From now on, everyone got a half second consideration, and nonlethal fire first. He understood protecting the principal. He also understood not letting her use him as bait, a taunt or a campaign slogan. He had no reason to care that much for her. He’d save the firepower for the team’s safety. He would fire to protect his teammates, though.

It occurred to him the harassing attacks might be intended exactly as a confidence shaker for something bigger later. Or had they discussed that already?

Yes, he was shaken. Still, fire to save the team, and fuck the politicians.

That resolved in his mind, he went to see Jason. He found the man hunched over a sheet on the floor, working on weapons.

“Hey, Aramis, what do you need?”

He started with, “I want to make sure my carbine is as zeroed as you can get, and I want that scope set with all the bells and whistles. Show me what I need to know.”

“Can do. I have a few minutes before I can catch up with Captain Das, who is certainly going to know something is up with all the bribery, so I need to make the bribe bigger but practical and not ridiculous.”

“If you’re busy…”

“Nope, I need to think, and handling guns helps me think. Let’s do it.” He pulled Aramis’ carbine from the cabinet, and his own. He seemed to relax and calm down once he had a weapon in hand. That bothered a lot of people, but Aramis understood it. Much like Elke with her explosives, it gave him focus and control.

“Okay, you have frequency shift here, which can be done manually, or through the slide on your combat goggles. UV for smoke, IR for night, or thermal. Punch up the IR here to at least eight, given this wimpy star. In my system you’d dial down to three.”

“Got it.”

“You boresight here, and put a dot on the wall there, that’s why I have that mark.”

“It’s a centimeter high.”

“So it’ll be smack on at a hundred meters.”

“Yes.”

“How’s the grip?”

“Comfortable. I’d like more butt weight.”

“Here,” Jason said, took the weapon, and attached a small tube that held an extra capacitance pack for the optics. He handed it back.

“Yeah, that does it, and gives me a second spare.”

“You’ll never need it, but someone else might.”

“Excellent. Got time for one more question then?”

“Yes, go ahead.” Jason stood, stretched, and wiped his hands on a towel.

“It’s about Elke.”

“Okay.”

He hesitated slightly. “Look, you’ve known her a long time.”

“On and off, yes. She’s an unusual character.”

That was a sympathetic opening. Good.

“Yes, that’s it. Previously, you know how she acted toward me. Distant, even condescending, and I deserved it when we first met. We got past that. Strictly professional, much the way she is with you.”

“Yes, and that’s good, I hope?”

“It was. She’s a hell of a blaster, glad to have her around. Always reliable. She opened up just a tiny bit last year.”

“Which is huge for her.”

“Yeah, I got that,” he said. Then he blurted, “So why is she hitting on me now? I think.”

“Ahhhh,” Jason said and smiled faintly.

The older man leaned back and said, “Well, that probably has to do with you banging the trillionaire.”

Aramis cringed. He hated hearing it put that way, even if he thought that way himself.

“Jealousy?”

“Elke? No. More like ‘challenge.’ Or possibly ‘curiosity.’ If someone who can have anyone is interested in you, there must be a reason. Elke’s rather poor at social cues. That is, she’s very observant about others, but can’t manage her own. So she’s playing her own game.”

“I really don’t think that would turn out well.”

“Yeah, ain’t maturity a bitch? She probably knows that, too. She’s seeing if she can mess with your mind.”

“I’m afraid she’s going to be insulted if I don’t respond.”

“Probably. I don’t have much in the way of advice beyond this. It’s a grudge match.”

“Thanks. Really, thanks, though that last just doesn’t help.”